Page 57 of Devlin

"That it's pretty close to perfect, even though it needs attention. In my head, I can see exactly how it would look with the right furniture, new paint on the walls and colorful tile in the bathrooms. It would be amazing." She let out a breath. "I just wish it was in Austin."

"If it was, it wouldn't be amazing, because there would beno ocean view."

"I know." She paused as they heard a car door close. "I think Kathy's client is here. We should go—let them walk through the house on their own."

"All right." They slipped down the stairs, giving Kathy a wave before getting into his car.

As they drove away, he saw Hannah cast a longing look at the house.

"I hope those people don't make an offer," hesaid.

"Why?" she asked, her gaze moving back to his.

"It will give you time to think about it."

"I don't need time, Devlin. I have a life somewhere else. And in a week, I'll be back to it."

"Well, a lot can happen in a week."

A lot had already happened, Hannah thought as they drove away from her dream house. She'd reconnected with her dad, her friends, and Devlin. She'd found herself feeling inexplicably happy just being back in King Harbor. It felt like she belonged here.

She tried to tell herself it wouldn't last, that it was only the newness of her return, the fun of revisitingthe past. Her future was in Austin—wasn't it?

She'd put a lot of time and effort into building a career there, and her mom would be terribly disappointed if she left. Although, her parents had both had a chance to pursue their dreams.Why shouldn't she?

Because dreams didn't last. The morning always came.

"Do you need to get home?" Devlin asked.

His question interruptedher depressing thoughts. "Not really. Why?"

"A friend of mine, one of my employees actually, has a pop-up pizza company that he operates out of a food truck on Friday and Saturday nights. It's probably the best pizza you'll ever eat."

"That's quite an endorsement."

"I speak the truth. But you can find out for yourself, unless you're still full after tea?"

She checkedher watch, realizing it was already half past five. "Those little sandwiches seem like a long time ago now. I'd be up for pizza."

"Great. He's parked in the lot by Cooper's Beach tonight."

Devlin turned the car around and headed away from the downtown to a popular surfing beach on the outskirts of King Harbor. Cooper's Beach had the biggest waves for twenty miles and was always busyin the mornings and late afternoons, especially once they got past Memorial Day.

"Did you ever surf here?" she asked Devlin, as the ocean came into view.

"Years ago, when I was a teenager. I prefer sailing now. I don't like waiting for a wave. I like to make my own," he said with a charming grin. "What about you?"

"Sailing is also my favorite activity on the water."

"A girl after my own heart."

She smiled, but his words reminded her that his heart wasn't really available. She didn't know if he was still in love with his college girlfriend. But she did know that he'd put his heart on ice after her death and that he'd never had another serious relationship since then. Not only had he told her that, but Jessica and Caroline had been happy to relate howvery single Devlin was, despite the fact that most of the single women in town would have been happy to date him.

She would have been happy to date him, too, if she lived here permanently, and if he didn't have a ghost for a first love.Who could ever compete with that?

She'd already lost her last fiancé to an ex; she wasn't about to fall for someone who was still in love with anotherwoman. Which was why she should have turned down the pizza invitation, why she should be turning down every invitation that Devlin gave her.

On the other hand, as long as she knew what was what, why not have some fun?

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